VIZIANAGARAM: The first round of the two-day State-level music competitions, being organised by the Department of Youth Services, was inaugurated at Ananda Gajapathi Auditorium here on Saturday.

As many as 84 artistes, selected on the basis of their performance at the district-level competitions in the first week of this month, will give performance in nine disciplines -- Carnatic (vocal), Hindusthani (Vocal), Flute, Mridangam, Veena, Sitar, Tabala, Harmonium and guitar -- during the two days. Owing to downpour and dislocation of transport services for the last two days, only 50 per cent of artistes arrived here this morning. As a result, the competitions began around 11.30 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. on a low-key.

Grant promised

Addressing the gathering, Zilla Parishad Chairperson B. Jhansi Lakshmi promised grants if the administration desires to impart training in music to youth in BC, SC/ST welfare hostel students. Collector B. Venkateswara Rao said that dance competitions (Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissy and Manipuri) would be held at Tirupati on October 19 and 20, folk song and dances (solo and group) at Warangal on October 22 and 23 and lastly one act play (Hindi and English), elocution, youth convention, young artistes camp and yuva kavi sammelanam in Hyderabad on October 25 and 27. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy will give away prizes to the winners in the State-level competitions on the State Formation Day in Hyderabad.

Later, T. Niharika (Hyderabad), D. Ravikanth (Vizianagaram), T. Srinidhi (Anantapur), K. Kamala Deepthi (Visakhapatnam), P. Balachandra (Chittoor), S. Jeevanna (Kurnool), D. Harini (Krishna) A.V.S.K. Anupama (Srikakulam), A. Ranjitha (East Godavari), N. Chamundeswari (Nellore), M. Srinivas (Secunderabad) and V. Krishna Bhavana (Eluru) gave performance for 15 minutes each in Carnatic (vocal).

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